The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-07
Legislative Matters.

The principal feature OF the Legislative
proceedings during the past week has been
the debt question discussion. Elsewhere
will be found a more extended reference to
that subject. Below we give an abstract
of such matters of general and special local
interest as have come up and been dispos
ed Of:
The Senate on Thursday passed the bill
allowing the Charleston, Cincinnati and
Chicago Railroad Company the right to
construct and operate their line III the
counties of Scott, Wise. and Dickinson, in
this State. This company is said TO he
tcked by abundant capital and under the
control of men who will push it forward
rapidly. 1t promises not only to develop
the immense coal, iron ore, and other min
eral resources OF the southwestern part OF
Virginia, but 10 give that portion Of this
State, as well as Charleston and the inter
mediate points il South Carolina a close
all-rail connection with Cincinnati, Chi.
cago, and other western centers. This en-
terprlse is expected to result in the location
in Wise county Of iron ore furnaces of i'm
| mense capacity. 1t is stated that When
this road is completed ten million dollars
of English capital will be put into it.
Majority and minority reports from
the special committee appointed by the
House to investigate the conduct of the
office of Railroad Commissioner Motif,
were submitted to the House on Thursday.
The majority report arralgned the Com
missioner for carelesSneSS i'll the discharge
Of his duties and in keeping the records of
his office The minority report took the
ground that the chief subject of inquiry
under the resolution was to ascertain
whether or not the Atlantic and DanviIle
Railroad had been Disseminated against
by the commissioner. Upon this the mir
nority declared that there had been no such
discrimination, 1t also stated that Com
missioner Motifs office has been as eff
GENTLY conducted as the appropriation
therefor would permit.
The minority report was adopted by a
vote Of 81 to Is.
On Friday night the Democratic caucus
nominated Maj j e. Hill, Sergeant at Arms
of the House, for railroad commissioner to
succeed Mr.. Motif, and on Saturday Maj.
Hill was unanimously elected to the office.
The salary is 50, $780, with clerk at 81 800.
Mr.. w. r. Gaines, of Charlotte, was
unanimously elected Sergeant Arms to
succeed Maj. Hill.
In the Senate on Friday, the bill to in
crease the salaries of circuit judges. was
defeated by vote of % to II.
George w. Ward. Esq. was elected judge
of Washington county, by practically
unanimous vote in both Houses.
In the House on Friday, among the bills
introduced were the following:
By Mr.. Hey: To provide for the pay of
physicians and witnesses attending before
commission of lunacy. 1.-THE bill pays
PHYSICIANS S. so and witnesses soc.
By Mr.. Eehols: To repeal the act of Feb
ruary 9, 1882, allowing Waynesboro' to vote
on the local-option question.
By same A petition opposing the repeal
of local option in Waynesboro'.
By same: A petition in favor of the re-
peal of local option in Waynesboro'.
By Mr.. Keezell: to authorize the Audi
tor of Public Accounts, with the advice of
the Attorney General, to compromise and
settle claims of the Commonwealth against
tie sureties of Samuel r. Sterling, late
treasurer of Rockingham county.
The House passed the bill introduced by
Mr.. Echols. to incorporate the Shenan
doah Land and Anchracte Coal Company.
The Auditor of Public Accounts. in re-
Spouse to House resolution adopted March
Oath, reported to that body that the total
license tax of the State were:
Liquor licenses ....,............... 1929 BIB q
Licenses other than li9uor........, 4ls,55l %
s7l7 1894 90
Amount received in coupons in payment
of licenses under DEGREES of court during
year ending September 80, 1886, $l4. S22.5o.
The Legislature adjourned yesterday for
a recess until May 4th.
President Cleveland is said to be saving